OUTCOMES OF MITCHELL’S PROCEDURE IN THE TREATMENT OF HALLUX VALGUS

Abstract

Background  Hallux Valgus is the commonest foot deformity. It is characterized by lateral deviation of the big toe with the medial shifting of the first metatarsal. Many intrinsic and extrinsic factors are claimed to be a cause and may coexist as multifactorial. Mitchell’s distal metatarsal osteotomy is one of the preliminary operations proposed in managing hallux valgus, with 70% to 90% of satisfactory results. Objectives  To evaluate the outcome of Mitchell’s procedure in treating mild to moderate hallux valgus in terms of clinical and radiological outcomes. Patients and Methods Sixteen adult patients (26 feet) with mild to moderate hallux valgus were enrolled in this study. They underwent original Mitchell’s step-cut distal osteotomy to correct their hallux valgus Results At the last follow-up, overall satisfaction was (81.25%) with three patients unsatisfied due to transfer metatarsagia and reflex sympathetic dystrophy. The mean change in hallux valgus angle and intermetatarsal angle were (17.27°) and (4.47°) respectively.  Conclusion Mitchell’s procedure is a distal metatarsal osteotomy which has good results in treating mild to moderate hallux valgus in terms of clinical and radiological appearance and acceptable patient satisfaction. However, transfer metatarsalgia and recurrence of deformity are two more known drawbacks of this procedure.